Respiratory conditions and pesticide exposure in British pesticide applicators.

Background

The relationship between pesticide exposure and respiratory ill-health remains under researched.

Aims

We set out to define the prevalence of respiratory complaints, excluding asthma, and estimates of exposure in a cohort of pesticide applicators based in Great Britain (GB).

Methods

A baseline cross-sectional study (n = 5817), with follow-up at up to 5 years (n = 2578), was conducted in GB pesticide workers. Demographic and personal factors, details of working hours and practices, exposures to specific pesticide types, self-reported respiratory ill-health and doctor-diagnosed health conditions were recorded. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the association between exposures to pesticides and respiratory health.

Results

The mean age was 54.1 years; 98% were male. At baseline, 70 (1.2%) had doctor-diagnosed chronic bronchitis, and 60 (1%) had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Twenty-six (0.4%) reported farmer’s lung. In contrast, reported respiratory symptoms were common at follow-up; nasal allergies reported by 541 participants (21%), regular cough by 351 (14%), chest tightness ever by 329 (13%) and work-related chest tightness by 45 (1.8%). Nasal allergies were more common in those not using pesticides in the last 12 months [odds ratio (OR) 1.54 (95% CI 1.14–2.06)], chest tightness was more common in retired workers [OR 1.87 (1.25–2.81)], and work-related chest tightness more common in the current high exposure category [OR 2.68 (1.28–5.60)].

Conclusions

This study has confirmed low levels of self-reported doctor-diagnosed conditions, but high levels of reported respiratory symptoms. This suggests potential under diagnosis of respiratory ill-health in this sector.